Shohei Ohtani is set to return to the mound against the Marlins, but his hitting status remains uncertain. He'll pitch on just five days' rest, a shift from his usual schedule, leading manager Dave Roberts to suggest he may not hit during the game. Despite a standout 0.38 ERA and 2-0 record this season, Ohtani's offensive performance has lagged, hitting just .100 when both pitching and batting. The Dodgers are managing a tight schedule of 13 consecutive games, complicating decisions about Ohtani's two-way role.

By the Numbers
  • Ohtani has a 2-0 record with a 0.38 ERA over four starts this season.
  • He is hitting 1-for-10 (.100) with a .457 OPS in games where he pitches.
State of Play
  • The Dodgers are in a stretch of 13 games without an off-day.
  • Ohtani's hitting has significantly dropped during pitching outings, raising concerns about his dual role.
What's Next

Ohtani's role moving forward could focus more on pitching, potentially allowing other players like Dalton Rushing to fill offensive slots as DH, optimizing game strategy and player workload.

Bottom Line

The Dodgers must balance Ohtani's pitching dominance with his offensive contributions, but the strategy of occasionally sidelining him as a hitter may benefit the team in the long run, enhancing player health and performance.